Qatar Red Crescent’s (QRCS) Medical Affairs Division conducted several health education events recently to mark Heat Exhaustion Awareness Week. 
Aimed at reducing health-related cases caused by heat exhaustion and stroke, the initiative forms part of the national preventive health education strategy adopted by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), according to a press statement.
QRCS organised 10 lectures and three simulated demonstrations at its Workers’ Health Centres in Mesaimeer, Al Hemaila and Zekreet, attended by more than 3,000 workers visiting these health facilities.
Four continuing education and in-service training workshops were also held for 60 physicians and nurses about how to deal with heat exhaustion patients.


 
Participants receive hygiene kits from QRCS.

Titled Heat Stroke Prevention, the lectures were delivered in Arabic, English and Hindi.
QRCS’ health education head Dr Ahmed Idlibi’s lecture focused on sunstroke, heat exhaustion and first aid, explaining that certain steps should be taken to provide help for a heatstroke patient such as moving the person from the hot environment to a cooler place.
“In case of fainting, he stressed that the patient should be laid down with his or her legs a bit higher than the head,” he said. “If there is vomiting or diarrhoea, put the patient on his/her side.”
“Remove the clothes of the patient, spray cool water on the body, and turn a fan on for good ventilation,” Dr Idlibi added. “Give the patient sufficient water on a 15-minute-per-cup basis (if there is no diarrhoea or vomiting).”
“If the patient does not get better within minutes, dial the 999 ambulance number for help,” he said.
Dr Idlibi pointed out that it is highly recommended to avoid working in very high temperature or humidity, take regular breaks and wear adequate worker uniform.
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